Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:5,7

Today's favorite verse: 2 Corinthians 13:5,7

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates."

I pondered on something I heard said a while ago. That at the final judgment we would judge ourselves. We would know where we belong. We cannot lie to God for he will know all. How much better is it to do that self examination now, to know where I really stand before the Lord while there is still time for me to change. I at least try to do this weekly as I take the sacrament, and during my time in the celestial room. It so easy to get off course.

I pondered on the trial of honesty hitting our world now. People reinventing the truth to fit the situation. I can see how people would think it hard to know what truth is. Honesty is a foreign character trait to many. Then there is a wave of people enticing us to judge others. Satan is such a master at trying to get us to forget the Lord's commandment to not judge others. He wants us to think that no one can repent of the mistakes they make in life. No man knows fully another man's heart. I know my heart. God knows my heart. If I am to judge someone it is to be myself. To be honest with myself and present the truth to my fellowman is as He would have me do.

Day 80 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Today's favorite verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

These verse made me recall my younger married years. I noticed a pattern that I would become more faithful when I was going through a trial. When I had a trial I then turned to the Lord and was more active at church. I didn't like this pattern, because it was the trial bringing me to remembrance of the Lord. I wondered if I would have less trials if I was always trying to be faithful first. So I changed my ways. I am so glad I did.

I still have trials but they are not so painful. In fact they are sweet because the Lord protecting arm grows stronger around me. Instead of just being called to remembrance I am embraced during time of weakness and made strong.

Day 79 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Today's favorite verse: 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

I sat and pondered on how I would know I was not following a false apostle?  After these verses Paul goes on to tell of all he has suffered as an apostle of the Lord. Then I saw the connection an apostle serves the Lord at all hazard to his own life. It is by their works that you know them. I reflected on all that Joseph Smith went through for the restoration of the gospel. If he was telling a lie, no man would endure the persecution he did. I thought of the apostles in jail and wearing prison strips because of the restoration of the law of Sarah. For in the fullness of times all things needed to be restored in the last days, even for a season. What the Lord commands you do. I thought upon the prophecy I believe Elder Holland gave in New York that one day we will see our leaders wearing prison strips again. What days I live in, what things are to come. If you do not believe, you do not endure, otherwise you are deceived. 

Day 78 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:5

Today's favorite verse: 2 Corinthians 10:5

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"

This verse made me think of a little film strip I saw at church as a youth. It was based on Elder Boyd K. Packer's talk "The Mind is Like a Stage". What an impact it had on me. It showed in this film strip how our mind was like a stage and how anything playing on it had our attention. These thoughts would overtake our lives. When we didn't want bad thoughts we just kicked it off that stage. 

Over the years I have many times kicked bad thought off the stage in my mind. I honestly would talk to myself and say "get off that stage". I would replace it with a new scene, focusing on good thoughts. Over the years those bad thoughts don't try to take center stage very often. I have filled my mind with good things to dwell on. The scriptures, hymns, family history, using technology, and callings in the church take up most of the room on my stage. I am so grateful for Elder Packers words so long ago. They have truly blessed my life.

Day 77 Tami Fitzgerald Harris